Latest Articles from Neotropical Biology and Conservation Latest 3 Articles from Neotropical Biology and Conservation https://neotropical.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 13:03:53 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://neotropical.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from Neotropical Biology and Conservation https://neotropical.pensoft.net/ A case of leucosis in Heptapterus mustelinus (Siluriformes, Heptapteridae) among populations of streams in southern Brazil. Has leucosis in Heptapterus mustelinus an adaptive value in shaded streams? https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/103523/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 18(3): 177-189

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.18.e103523

Authors: Marlon Ferraz, Uwe Horst Schulz, Carlos Alberto Santos de Lucena, Pablo Lehmann A.

Abstract: Fish populations in environments with a high degree of geographic isolation may be prone to mutations expressed in the phenotypes. These mutations may be related to color pattern, forming leucistic individuals. This work aims to register and to describe possible mechanisms that influence this mutation. Additionally, the study compares other morphometric variations among different populations and leucistic individuals of Heptapterus mustelinus. A total of four leucistic individuals were collected in a small shaded stream, highly segmented by rapids and waterfalls. The biometric analyses showed no significant morphological differences when compared to other populations of the same ecoregion. The selection of leucism may be directly related to the sampled environment, since the leucistic specimens occurred in a shaded stream with dense vegetation cover. Low occurrence of predatory species of fish can be an important point to maintain the characteristic. Consequently, predation may not exert a negative selective pressure on leucistic individuals.

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Research Article Wed, 27 Sep 2023 19:00:06 +0300
First Locality Record of Melanistic Oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus) in Monteverde, Costa Rica https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/65464/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 16(3): 427-434

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.16.e65464

Authors: Jordan E. Rogan

Abstract: The persistence of the coat color polymorphism melanism has been reported for several tropical felids, but its evolutionary advantages remain an active area of research. Few publications have explored melanism in the elusive species, oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus) within the Neotropical part of their range in Costa Rica. Herein, I present the first record of a melanistic oncilla within the montane cloud forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica. Recent studies have found support for theories (e.g. Temporal Segregation Hypothesis and Gloger’s Rule) explaining the ecological advantages driving melanism in oncilla and tropical felid populations. However, it is unclear what is driving melanism in this Monteverde oncilla population due to the singular observation. Further research investigating whether melanism is occurring at a higher frequency in other individuals in the region is critical to better understanding the occurrence of melanism in local populations of this cryptic species. The montane cloud forest in Monteverde provides critical habitat to this vulnerable species within the small Neotropical part of their range. Melanistic individuals may be particularly threatened by land-use change and increasing human pressure if theories for the evolutionary advantages and ecological conditions motivating melanism are supported.

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Short Communication Wed, 11 Aug 2021 10:11:25 +0300
Molecular genetic studies of Chilean avifauna: an overview about current progress https://neotropical.pensoft.net/article/48588/ Neotropical Biology and Conservation 14(4): 459-477

DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.14.e48588

Authors: Nelson Colihueque, Alberto Gantz

Abstract: The biodiversity of Chilean avifauna has been shaped by geological events, geographical factors and extreme climatic regimens. Molecular genetic studies developed to date have begun to provide valuable information to elucidate the effect of these factors on the evolutionary history of Chilean birds. We conducted a search in two bibliographic databases (PubMed and Scopus) over the period between 1998 and 2018 to identify the number and class of articles published in this research field. The quantification of specific research categories was also performed to assess progress in different molecular genetic issues of Chilean birds. Representative studies of the more active research areas: population structure, phylogeography, systematics and taxonomy and genetic diversity, were briefly commented on. Studies on genetic divergence analysis of cryptic species and the underlying genetics at molecular level of adaptive phenotypes in populations, were very scarce. Several types of mitochondrial and nuclear markers have been used, with COI plus D-loop and microsatellite loci, respectively, being the most widely-used markers. However, high-throughput analyses based on complete mitochondrial genomes have also been published. More than one hundred species have been analyzed; the most studied groups being penguins, followed by New World swallows. Although, to date, molecular genetic studies of Chilean birds still require further analysis, the studies available on some species or groups have provided important data to improve our understanding of the origin and evolution of this avifauna.

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Commentary Thu, 28 Nov 2019 08:50:47 +0200